IMMIGRATION SOLUTIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICANS
With a strong team on the ground coupled with expertise in a range of global citizenship and residency programs, D&A is uniquely positioned to help South Africans make their move overseas.
Our South Africa immigration lawyers are able to help South Africans whatever their chosen destination. This has typically been the United Kingdom, Mauritius or Europe. Yet we are seeing growing interest in our core market, the United States.
EB5 Visa for South AfricansThe EB5 Investor Visa that has experienced the sharpest growth of any visa category among South Africans. There has been a six-fold increase in the number of EB5 Visas issued to South Africans since 2014. This visa is the fastest route to a US Green Card for individuals or families that are able to make a $900,000 investment. A Green Card offers a whole range of benefits, including the freedom to live, work, retire or study anywhere in the United States.
L1 visas for South AfricansThere has also been growth in the number of L visas issued to South Africans, albeit at a slower rate thanEB5. The L1 visa allows for the intracompany transfer of employees between the South African office and an American office of the same company. Davies & Associates specializes in helping companies set-up a new American office for the purposes of transferring employees on an L1 visa.
For employees of foreign companies who plan to live and work in the U.S. as executives, managers or other persons with specialized knowledge of their companies, being able to document employment is a key part of the South Africa work visa process. Specifically, you need to prove that you worked for the company for at least one year out of the most recent three years.
In order to obtain an L1 visa to transfer to the U.S. as an executive, manager or other person with specialized knowledge, South Africa immigration requirements stipulate that you must have worked in one of those capacities abroad already. However, you do not have to work in the same capacity in the U.S., as long as it is still one of those three capacities.
More Information on L1 visas Grenada Citizenship by Investment and E2 VisasWe are also seeing increasing number of inquiries from South Africans seeking another passport to allow them to travel more seamlessly around the world. One popular option is the Grenada passport, which allows for visa-free travel to 50% more countries than the South African passport, including to the UK, the EU, Hong Kong, Singapore and the People’s Republic of China.
The Grenada passport also makes South Africans eligible for the United States E2 Visa, which allows the holder to live in the United States for the purpose of owning and operating a business.
More Information on E2 Grenada Corporate and Tax SupportRelocating overseas can be a complicated process, not least because it means contending with different tax laws and the challenges of setting up a business or buying a home. D&A is a fullservice immigration law firm which offers a range of tax advice and corporate legal services to our clients.
UK Services for South Africa NationalsD&A maintains a strong presence in London and has experience assisting South African Nationals with the UK Innovator Visa, UK Work Visas and UK Star-up Visa.
More information on UK Visas and Immigration Italian and EU Immigration and Visa OptionsIn addition to serving South African clients with US and UK option D&A is also one of Italy’s largest and most successful immigration law firms.
Many South Africans are unaware of the advantages of the Italian representative office visa, the Italian Elective Visa option and other Italian visa options.
More on Italian immigration OptionsIn addition, D&A maintains a presence in Lisbon, Portugal form where we assist South African and other client with the Portuguese Residency by Investment program. Unlike other agents in the market D&A is a law firm and does not earn commissions and referral bonuses from investments made by our clients, in fact we return any such commissions and invective payments to our clients.
More on Portuguese Residency by InvestmentUS Embassy in South Africa, Pretoria
Address877 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria
Phone
Office: +27 (12) 431-4000
Fax
Fax: +27 (12) 342-2299
US Consulate in South Africa, Cape Town
Address2 Reddam Ave, Westlake 7945
Phone
Office: +27 (21) 702-7300
Fax
Fax: +27 (21) 702-7493
US Consulate in South Africa, Durban
Address303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street, 31st Floor, Delta Towers, Durban
Phone
Office: +27 (31) 305-7600
Fax
Fax: +27 (31) 305-7691
US Consulate in South Africa, Johannesburg
Address1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst
Phone
Office: +27 (11) 290-3000
Fax
Fax: +27 (11) 884-0396
CHOOSE DAVIES & ASSOCIATES FOR IMMIGRATION SUPPORT
To date, the team of experienced immigration attorneys at D&A have helped hundreds of businesses, individuals, and families around the world relocate to the U.S., the U.K, Turkey, Grenada, Portugal, Italy, and elsewhere. We operate from offices around the globe, offering direct, local support to help ease the stress of obtaining immigration permits, visas and work permits from South Africa. We know that immigration problems can arise at any time, so we make a point of returning phone calls seven days a week.
Our immigration lawyers are regarded as the best legal professionals in the markets and industries they serve. We are adept at finding innovative, creative solutions to immigration issues that may, at first glance, seem impossible to solve. Ultimately, our goal is to help our clients meet their personal and business goals in a cost-effective manner.
To learn more about South Africa visa requirements, contact our law firm today.
Frequently Asked Questions for South African Nationals
Do South Africans need a visa for the United States, Italy, or the United Kingdom?
Yes. South African passport holders generally require visas for long term residence, work, business, or study in the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The appropriate visa depends on your purpose of travel and long term immigration objectives.
What are the main United States immigration options for South Africans?
Common U.S. routes include the L1 Intracompany Transfer Visa, the E2 Treaty Investor Visa, the H1B Specialty Occupation Visa, the O1 Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability, employment based green cards such as EB1, EB2, EB3, the EB5 Immigrant Investor Program, and family based green cards. Entrepreneurs often begin with L1 status and later transition to the EB1C Multinational Manager Green Card.
Can I expand my South African company to the United States?
Yes. Many founders use the L1 New Office route to establish a U.S. subsidiary or affiliate. For planning purposes, review L1 requirements, the L1 document checklist, L1 costs and fees, the L1 business plan page, and L1 renewals and extensions.
What are the main Italy immigration options for South Africans?
Italy options commonly include the Italy Investor Visa and the Italy Entrepreneur Visa, as well as elective residence, work routes, and family reunification depending on your situation.
Can I obtain Italian residency through investment?
Yes. The Italy Investor Visa can provide a renewable residence pathway through qualifying investment routes, subject to eligibility and documentation requirements.
What are the main United Kingdom immigration options?
Common UK routes include the UK Skilled Worker Visa, the UK Innovator Founder Visa, the UK Expansion Worker route for overseas businesses, and the UK Global Talent Visa.
Can I bring my family with me?
In most cases, yes. Dependent spouses and children are often permitted under U.S., Italy, and UK routes, subject to relationship evidence and financial requirements.
How long does the immigration process take?
Processing times vary by country and visa type. Business and investor cases often require more preparation and documentation, which can affect overall timing.
Can these visas lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
Often yes. U.S. visas may transition to permanent residence through employment or investment categories such as EB1 or EB5. Italy and the UK also offer long term residence pathways that may lead to permanent status and eventual citizenship, subject to statutory requirements.
Are there South African exit tax implications if I relocate abroad?
Possibly. South Africa applies a deemed disposal rule when an individual ceases tax residency, which may trigger capital gains tax on worldwide assets at the time of exit. This is commonly referred to as exit tax. The implications depend on your asset structure, tax residency status, and timing of departure. Because relocation to the United States, Italy, or the United Kingdom may also create new tax residency exposure, coordinated immigration and tax planning is strongly recommended before proceeding.
How do I decide which country is right for me?
Many South African entrepreneurs compare the U.S. L1 route, the Italy Investor Visa, and the UK Expansion Worker route. The best option depends on your business structure, available capital, family considerations, and long term goals.
About the Authors
Mark I Davies, Esq.
Chairman of Davies & Associates; focused on E visa strategy and complex consular filings.
Mark I Davies, Esq. JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Licensed with the SRA (SRA ID: 384468) in the UK, Member Law Society of England & Wales, MBA, Wharton School of Business. Top 10 Investment Visa Lawyer, Licensed (USA), Georgia State Bar. AILA Member.
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | JD, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School | MBA (Finance), The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) |
| Financial Training | Completed Analyst Training Program at a major international bank | Chartered Accountant background with professional training in financial analysis and reporting |
| Legal Practice | Admitted to practice in Georgia (USA) | Registered Solicitor with the Law Society of England & Wales | Former CMBS lawyer at one of the world’s largest international law firms |
| Immigration Track Record | 15+ years advising HNW investors | Zero denials for clients advised on source-of-funds compliance in EB-5 | Hundreds of successful EB-5 cases globally |
| Recognition | Named a Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney by EB5 Investors Magazine (2018–2023) |
| Professional Engagements | Lecturer/trainer for other lawyers at AILA, ACA, University of Pennsylvania Law School | Frequent speaker at global investment immigration conferences |
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